Four charged in weekend thefts; Yarmouth police expect more arrests

Wednesday

Yarmouth police say the four men arrested early Tuesday and charged with a string of thefts from cars all have a history of run-ins with the law.

Yarmouth police say the four men arrested early Tuesday and charged with a string of thefts from cars all have a history of run-ins with the law.

The four were arrested after they were spotted driving in a car in the Captains Village neighborhood of South Yarmouth just after midnight. Officer Scott Lundgren recognized one of the men as having a history of break-ins. Before he could stop the car, it sped off and was later seen speeding along Forest Road. Police stopped the car on Winslow gray Road, and while talking to the occupants, an officer spotted a folding knife, like one that had been reported stolen, on one of the men’s belts.

A search of the car turned up many items believed stolen in more than 40 breaks into cars and trucks mainly in West Yarmouth over the Memorial Day weekend and earlier.

At an afternoon news conference, Yarmouth Police Chief Michael Almonte said the arrests were the result of “good old-fashioned police work.”

Lundgren said his first clue that something was amiss was when he spotted a car with four young occupants that “didn’t fit” in captains Village early in the morning.

Detective Stephen Renzi said all four suspects were” very well known to us. We’ve dealt with all of them for years.”

Among the items recovered were many cell phones, Ipods, cameras, a laptop computer and other electronic devices. A badge belonging to a retired police officer, a folding police baton and a pellet rifle were also confiscated.

Police also recovered drug paraphernalia.

Renzi said the suspects were probably selling the stolen goods for a fraction of their retail value.

Standing behind a table on which recovered property was laid out, Renzi said the impact of thefts from vehicles, which could be as many as 80 dating to March, has been significant.

“This is not all the property taken. This is one weekend,” Renzi said of the array of merchandise.

The four suspects were to be arraigned in Barnstable District Court late Tuesday afternoon. Police expect to make additional arrests.

Yarmouth police said every one of the vehicles from which items were stolen was unlocked. Police stressed the importance of keeping cars locked with windows rolled up and valuables out of sight.

The string of thefts in Yarmouth on a hectic Memorial Day weekend was a potential embarrassment in Yarmouth, which attracts many visitors, both second home-owners and tourists.

“We want people to feel they can enjoy themselves in Yarmouth and feel safe,” Lt. Stephen Xiarhos said. “You can help us by calling when something happens, not a day later,” he said.

The Register

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